Angela Bassett Says ‘I Was Deserving’ of the Oscar for ‘Black Panther 2’ After ‘I Put in the Time’ and Good Work: ‘I Thought It Was a Given’

variety.com:

Zack Sharf Digital News Director Angela Bassett recently told Town & Country magazine that she was “deserving” of the best supporting actress Oscar for “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” Bassett was nominated in 2023 but lost to Jamie Lee Curtis for “Everything Everywhere All at Once.” Her stoic reaction as Curtis’ name was called went viral on social media. “I found it interesting,” Bassett said of the loss and the reaction that ensued. “Interesting that I wouldn’t be allowed to be disappointed at an outcome where I thought I was deserving.” “I love applauding people,” she added. “But in that moment … No, I have put in: put in the time, put in good work over time.

I didn’t think that was a gift. I thought it was a given.” Bassett earned critical acclaim for her performance as Queen Ramonda in the “Black Panther” sequel, which made her the first actor be Oscar nominated from a Marvel movie.

Prior to the Academy Awards, Bassett picked up supporting actress wins at the Globe Globes and Critics’ Choice Award. But the race remained somewhat opened after Curtis won the SAG Award and Kerry Condon won the BAFTA for “The Banshees of Inisherin.” Curtis prevailed at the Oscars. “I was gobsmacked!

I was,” Basset told Oprah last year about losing the Oscar. “I thought I handled it very well. That was my intention, to handle it very well.